Dhofar
1673

Zufar,
Oman
Found: 2011 January
Mass: 15.1 g

Lunar
meteorite (feldspathic breccia)

Petrography: (P.
Strickland, UAb)
Dominated by ferroan anorthosite and less frequent gabbroic clasts embedded
in two distinct matrices. Olivine is rare and occurs in small amounts as
fine grains. Ferroan anorthosite clasts are frequently seen with poikilitic
pigeonite and augite, and some gabbro clasts have ophitic textures. The
anorthosite clasts are embedded in a devitrified fine-grained matrix and
fragment-rich feldspathic glassy impact melt matrix. A preferred
orientation of clasts can be seen within these matrices. Clast sizes range
from 0.05-1 mm, excluding the crystalline clasts which range up to 1.3mm.
Other fragments consist of dark fine-grained impact-melt breccias and
microporphyritic impact-melt breccias. High alumina, silica-poor (HASP)
glass spherules range from 50 to 500 µm and seem to be mainly associated
with the fine-grained matrix. Very few fractures are present, indicating
low shock deformation. Minimal presence of calcite veins and oxidation
indicate low weathering grade.

Classification:
Achondrite, Lunar Feldspathic Regolith Breccia. Classified as a regolith breccia
rather than a fragmental breccia based on the presence of HASP glass
spherules, as was observed in the mature regolith breccia QUE 93069 (Warren
et al., 2005).

Dhofar
1983

Zufar,
Oman
Found: 2011 January
Mass: 56.3 g

Lunar
meteorite (feldspathic breccia)

Physical
characteristics: Dark brown fusion crust with an orange
tint covers the sample. Fracture surfaces have light orange colourations due to minor weathering. Cut section shows
a clast-rich gray interior with white and gray clasts ranging from 0.5 to
10 mm in diameter. There are no obvious signs of oxidation of the interior
with the exception a single orange veinlet.

Petrography: (P.
Strickland and C. Herd, UAb). Petrographic
microscope examination of thin section. Dominated by ferroan anorthosite
and less frequent gabbroic clasts embedded in two distinct matrices. Melt
breccia clasts up to 1 cm across are present, as are much smaller mineral
fragments of pyroxene and less commonly, olivine. Glassy spherules
approximately 100 µm are also present. Clasts and spherules are embedded in
either a lighter, devitrified fine-grained matrix, or a less abundant,
darker, glassy melt matrix. A preferred orientation of clasts is not
observed. Very few fractures are present, indicating low shock deformation.
Minimal presence of calcite veins and oxidation indicate low weathering
grade.

Specimens:
11.4 g type specimen, including polished thin section and 0.3 g bulk
powdered sample, are on deposit at UAb.
A 0.55 g slice of the type specimen was used for INAA by Korotev. Remainder
at SQU.

from
The Meteoritical Bulletin, No. 103

Dhofar
1984

Zufar,
Oman
Found: 2011 January
Mass: 32.1 g

Lunar
meteorite (feldspathic breccia)

Petrography:
(S.
Bell and C. Herd, UAb).
Petrographic microscope examination of thin section. A clast-rich breccia
with a clastic, fine-grained matrix composed mainly of plagioclase. Clasts
range in size from 50 to 600 µm, and are dominated by impact breccias,
cataclastic ferroan anorthosite, and rarer basaltic clasts. The latter
consist of subophitic, Mg-Fe zoned augite and An-rich plagioclase; one such
clast also contains part of a larger Fo69 olivine phenocryst.
Fragments of plagioclase and rarer pyroxene and olivine are also present,
as are glassy clasts. A preferred orientation of clasts is not observed.
Very few fractures are present, indicating low shock deformation. Minimal
presence of calcite veins and oxidation indicate low weathering grade.

Specimens:
7.2 g type specimen, including polished thin section and 2.4 g bulk
powdered sample, are on deposit at UAb.
A 0.36 g slice of the type specimen was used for INAA by Korotev. Remainder
at SQU.

Randy
Says…

These
three stones that were found together, distant from other Dhofar stones.